Neurotrophic support to peripheral sensory neurons is provided by 2 factors of related sequence, NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). NGF is present in peripheral target tissues, while BDNF has only been reported in the CNS. We now report the biological characterization and molecular cloning of a cDNA for BDNF from human platelets. BDNF in human platelets has biological activities ...

This research grant will investigate methylation patterns in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. Published research has reported that the BDNF gene and its products have been associated with suicidal behavior. Several lines of evidence point to BDNF as a factor in mood disorders and specifically bipolar disorder illnesses, where there are greater percentages of suicides or attemp...

Neurotrophic factors play key roles in the development and survival of neurons. The potent neuroprotective effects of neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), suggest that they are good therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. Glauc...

Purpose: Spinal cord injury is a global public health issue that results in extensive neuronal degeneration, axonal and myelin loss and severe functional deficits. Neurotrophic factors are potential treatment for reducing secondary damage, promoting axon growth, and are responsible for inducing myelination after injury. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and minocycline have been shown to promo...

Abbreviations: GDNF, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; DA, dopaminergic; 6-OHDA, 6-hydroxydopamine; Ad, adenoviral; SN, substantia nigra pars compacta; CNS, central nervous system; MFB, medial forebrain bundle; MPTP, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; MPP+, 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium; MAO-B, monoamine oxidase; TH, tyrosine hydroxy...

Background: Cognitive disorders are symptoms of degenerative neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study evaluated the effects a mixture Gastrodiae elata (GE) and Glycyrrhizae uralensis (GU) (GGW) on scopolamine-treated cognitive function in vivo. Methods: To induce memory impairment disorder, C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered scopolamine. In experimental perio...

Many neurons die as the normal brain develops. How this is regulated and whether the mechanism involves neurotrophic molecules from target cells are unknown. We found that cultured neurons from a key forebrain structure, the dorsal thalamus, develop a need for survival factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from their major target, the cerebral cortex, at the age at which th...